Filmspotting

Inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio’s long-hoped-for recent collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam and Josh share the Top 5 Actor-Director Duos They’d Like To See. Plus, Adam’s review of Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE, and listeners share their 5 Years/5 Movies picks.  This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:03:06) Top 5 Actor-Director Duos We’d Like To See (00:03:07-00:58:08) Filmspotting Family (00:58:09-01:06:28) The Smashing Machine (01:06:29-01:17:06) Next Week / Notes (01:17:07-01:23:58) Polls (01:23:59-01:31:17) 5 Years/5 Movies Feedback (01:31:18-01:41:48) Credits / New Releases (01:41:49-01:46:12) Links: -Redford’s Best https://poll.fm/16120054 -Refocus Film Festival https://refocusfilmfestival.org/ Feedback: -Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠. -⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus con

Next week on the show, Adam and Josh will honor the passing of Robert Redford with their Top 5 Redford Movies. A title that is sure to make the cut is Best Picture nominee ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, which was part of 2021's 7 From '76–Best Year Ever series. It was also notably the first film in the Filmspotting Pantheon to receive the Sacred Cow treatment. Access to the Filmspotting Archive is just one of the benefits of joining the Filmspotting Family. Family members also get monthly bonus episodes, a weekly newsletter, early and ad-free episodes, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Thomas Anderson is back in a big way with ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. Adam and Josh have a review. Plus, Adam’s thoughts on PREDATORS, a new documentary about the troubling legacy of the reality series “To Catch A Predator.” This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:46) One Battle After Another (00:02:46-00:48:36) Filmspotting Family (00:48:37-00:55:06) Predators (00:55:07-01:04:20) Next Week / Notes (01:04:21-01:11:58) Massacre Theatre (01:11:59-01:18:33) Credits / New Releases (01:18:34-01:23:26) Links: -TCM Guest Programmer: Paul Thomas Anderson https://www.tcm.com/articles/Programming%20Article/022042/guest-programmer-paul-thomas-anderson -PTA Decades Poll ⁠https://poll.fm/16057462 -Refocus Film Festival https://refocusfilmfestival.org/ Feedback: -Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠. -⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠ and we might an

With Leonardo DiCaprio back on the big screen in PTA's ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, we're sharing Adam and Josh's 2020 conversation about INCEPTION, the actor's blockbuster collaboration with Christopher Nolan. This 10th anniversary review was part of the Nolan Oeuvre-view, a chronological revisit of the director's filmography. Access to those conversations and much more is available to members of the Filmspotting Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh review the latest from Columbus and After Yang director Kogonada, A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY, and force themselves to pick their favorite PTA decade. Plus, listeners on the best ‘60s musical.  This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:14) A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (00:02:15-00:44:16) Filmspotting Family (00:44:17-00:50:32) Next Week / Notes (00:50:33-01:00:23) Polls (01:00:24-01:14:06) Credits / New Releases (01:14:07-01:18:43) Links: -Refocus Film Festival https://refocusfilmfestival.org/ -PTA Decades Poll https://poll.fm/16057462 Feedback: -Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠. -⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. ⁠⁠⁠http://filmspottingfamily.com⁠⁠⁠ -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotti

With PTA's ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER coming to theaters this weekend, we're sharing Adam and Josh's 9 From '99 ⁠ review of the director's operatic third film, MAGNOLIA. For full access to the Filmspotting Archive, which goes back to 2005, become a member of the Filmspotting Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Top 5 worthy of Rob Gordon and crew. You get five movies, but they must be from a consecutive five-year period. Plus, Adam reviews SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES, Josh recommends THE HISTORY OF SOUND, and Michael Phillips comes aboard to talk about the late Robert Redford and report on this year’s Venice Film Festival. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:04:13) 5 Years / 5 Movies (00:04:15-00:57:28) Filmspotting Family (00:57:29-01:01:15) Spinal Tap II / The History of Sound (01:01:16-01:16:34) Notes (01:16:35-01:20:32) Massacre Theatre (01:20:33-01:27:29) Robert Redford / Venice Film Festival (01:27:30-01:54:33) Credits / New Releases (01:54:34-01:58:28) Links: -Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League (“Filmspotters”) https://moviegame.vulture.com/ -Steven Soderbergh’s B&W cut of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” https://extension765.com/blo

Cameron Crowe's ALMOST FAMOUS turns 25 this fall, so we dig into the archive for a 2018 Sacred Cow (or should we say Golden God?) review of Cameron Crowe's autobiographical film with bonus insights from ⁠Uproxx rock critic Steven Hyden⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh enter the Pantheon for a welcome revisit of Martin Scorsese’s 1990 masterpiece GOODFELLAS, which turns 35 this month. Plus, Josh shares thoughts on Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch in THE ROSES and nominates the sinister new indie LURKER for the Golden Brick. This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:08) GoodFellas (35th Anniv.) (00:02:09-00:57:17) Filmspotting Family (00:57:18-01:03:19) Lurker, The Roses (01:03:20-01:09:16) Notes (01:09:17-01:17:16) Polls (01:17:17-01:27:59) Credits / New Releases (01:28:00-01:31:24) Links: -Vulture's Movies Fantasy League ("Filmspotters") https://moviegame.vulture.com/ -“Towards a True Children’s Cinema: On My Neighbor Totoro” https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2017/03/13/towards-a-true-childrens-cinema-on-my-neighbor-totoro/ -Filmspotting Poll: 1960s Musicals https://poll.fm/15976

To celebrate 20 years of the show, we hosted Filmspotting Fest in March – six films over three days at two of Chicago’s iconic cinemas. This episode features two standout post-screening conversations: director Kogonada reflects on his Golden Brick-winning debut COLUMBUS, and Slate film critic Dana Stevens joins Josh to discuss Satyajit Ray’s indelible PATHER PANCHALI.  This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:47) Columbus with Kogonada (00:01:48-00:28:21) Notes (00:28:22-00:29:31) Pather Panchali with Dana Stevens (00:29:32-00:56:49) Credits / New Releases (00:56:50-01:00:16) Links: -Filmspotting Fest https://www.filmspotting.net/filmspotting-fest -"Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema, and the Invention of the 20th Century" https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Camera-Man/Dana-Stevens/9781501134203  -Filmspotting Poll: Pixar

The definitive '80s high school movie is 40 and back in theaters. Adam and Josh gave it the Sacred Cow treatment back in 2015 for its 30th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For their fifth collaboration, HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reimagine Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 masterpiece “High and Low.” Adam and Josh review the film coming to Apple TV+ Sept. 5. Plus, spoiler feedback for Zach Cregger’s WEAPONS, Massacre Theatre, and revisiting the show’s 2020 Sacred Cow review of JAWS. This episode is presented by ⁠Regal Unlimited⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:59) Highest 2 Lowest (00:02:00-00:47:59) 20th Anniversary Messages (00:48:00-00:54:43) Weapons Spoilers Feedback (00:54:44-01:25:12) Notes (01:25:13-01:30:16) Massacre Theatre (01:30:17-01:40:53) Jaws at 50 (01:40:54-02:17:57) Credits / New Releases (02:17:58-02:25:24) Links: “How to Watch Jaws in Theaters for Its 50th Anniversary” https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/how-to-watch-jaws-in-theaters-for-50th-anniversary Feedback: -Email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. -⁠⁠Ask Us

With a review of the new Spike Lee/Denzel Washington collaboration HIGHEST 2 LOWEST coming Friday, we're sharing 2016's Top 5 Denzel Washington Performances with guest W. Kamau Bell ("United Shades of America", "We Need to Talk About Cosby", the "Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor of All Time Period" podcast). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For its 50th anniversary, Adam and Josh revisit Sidney Lumet’s Best Picture-nominated (and ⁠Filmspotting Pantheon⁠ enshrined) DOG DAY AFTERNOON. Plus, Josh recommends the Chinese animated phenomenon NE ZHA II, and a new Deeply Flawed Filmspotting Poll ⁠pits two giants of animation against each other. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:12) Dog Day Afternoon at 50 (00:02:13-00:57:55) Filmspotting Family (00:57:56-01:02:42) Review (JL): Ne Zha II (01:02:43-01:07:05) Notes / RIP Terrence Stamp / Michael Phillips News (01:07:06-01:34:19) Deeply Flawed Filmspotting Polls (01:34:20-01:48:25) Credits / New Releases (01:48:26-01:51:54) Links: -Michael Phillips Says So Long For Now ⁠https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/20/tribune-film-critic-goodbye/⁠ -Filmspotting Madness (Updated) List https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting/list/filmspotti

With THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN back in theaters for its 20th anniversary, we're sharing a Top 5 from 2016: 21st Century Comedies. Judd Apatow's 2005 comedy fares pretty well on one of the lists. Access to the complete Filmspotting archive – over 1,000 episodes spanning 20 years – is just one benefit of joining the Filmspotting Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh go long on Zach Cregger’s provocative horror mystery WEAPONS, and Adam recommends the new doc IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY. Plus Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:25) Review: Weapons (00:01:26-00:43:20) 20th Anniversary Messages (00:43:21-00:50:15) Review (AK): It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (00:50:16-00:59:43) Next Week / Notes (00:59:44-01:07:04) Massacre Theatre (01:07:05-01:12:53) Credits / New Releases (01:12:54-01:17:13) Links: -1976 Best Pic Poll https://poll.fm/15851187 -Soundstripe Licensed Music and Sound Effects https://soundstripe.com/filmspotting (code FILMSPOTTING10) Feedback: -Email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. -⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. ⁠⁠http://filmspot

With Zach Cregger's WEAPONS getting a review this week, we dig deep into the archive for a 2012 Sacred Cow review of THE SHINING, a film Cregger frequently mentions as a major influence. Michael Phillips joins Adam and Josh for the conversation about Kubrick's horror classic, which turns 45 this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh, um, split on the Dave Franco-Alison Brie body horror movie TOGETHER, then catalog the wonders of Billy Wilder’s SUNSET BOULEVARD, which still astonishes at 75. Plus, the new doc about T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan and the Deeply Flawed Filmspotting Poll asks you to relitigate the 1976 Best Picture race. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:54) Review: “Together” (00:01:55-00:40:06) Filmspotting Family (00:40:07-00:43:43) Review (AK): “AngelHeaded Hipster” (00:43:44-00:47:13) Next Week / Notes (00:47:14-00:52:29) Polls (00:52:30-01:01:13) Sacred Cow: “Sunset Boulevard” at 75 (01:01:14-01:42:46) Credits / New Releases (01:42:47-01:45:58) Links: -Cinema Interruptus: “The Player” https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/interruptus -"AngelHeaded Hipster” Screenings https://greenwichentertainment.com/film/angelheaded-hipster-the-songs

Milos Forman’s Best Picture-winning ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST turns 50 this year, which gives Adam and Josh an excuse to revisit the film (which is already in the ⁠Filmspotting Pantheon⁠) and to celebrate the long and illustrious career of its charismatic star with their Top 5 Jack Nicholson Scenes. Plus, Adam recommends the new doc ARCHITECTON and Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by ⁠Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:38) Review: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" (00:01:39-00:42:25) 20th Anniversary Messages (00:42:26-00:48:03) Review (AK): “Architecton” (00:48:04-00:55:29) Next Week / Notes (00:55:30-01:01:00) Massacre Theatre (01:01:01-01:07:20) Top 5: Jack Nicholson Scenes (01:07:21-02:11:06) Credits / New Releases (02:11:07-02:14:22) Links: -Cinema Interruptus: "The Player" ⁠https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/interruptus⁠ Feedback: -Email

Josh welcomes Michael Phillips to discuss Ari Aster’s divisive pandemic-set movie EDDINGTON – a review that appropriately includes the phrase, "I couldn’t agree less with you…" Plus, Michael shares thoughts on THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS; Josh gives the "non-cringe ventriloquist comedy" SUNLIGHT a Golden Brick nomination; and, from 2023, the Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:54) Review: “Eddington” (00:01:55-00:27:05) Spoiler Talk: “Eddington” (00:27:06-00:35:52) Filmspotting Family (00:35:53-00:38:51) Review (MP): "Fantastic Four: First Steps" (00:38:52-00:45:18) Golden Brickspotting (JL): “Sunlight” (00:45:19-00:50:55) Next Week / Notes (00:50:56-00:57:35) Poll (00:57:36-01:02:30) Top 5: Joaquin Phoenix Performances [2023] (01:02:31-01:48:44) Credits / New Releases (01:48:45-01:54